Revisiting Louisiana's Heralded 2014 Recruiting Class

I think it is important to at times look back at recruiting classes of the past to realize how off the rankings and projections can be in terms of predicting future talent. This isn't to say that rankings are always wrong, but you can never be quite sure about the future of a 17 or 18 year old HS kid. If you all remember like I do, the 2014 recruiting class in Louisiana was heralded as one of the best the state had ever seen. Multiple 5-stars highlighted the class, but looking in hindsight, most of the players from the class have underwhelmed from their lofty prep status.

1) Leonard Fournette- This is probably the first name that comes to mind when people think of the 2014 class (and for good reason). Fournette was regarded as a generational talent at the RB position ever since his freshman year of HS and dazzled the state (and country) during his prep career. He culminated his storied days as a Purple Knight by choosing to be a Hometown Hero and play for the Tigers. He lived up to the hype during his tenure at LSU and became a top 5 pick after 3 years in the Purple and Gold. However, his young career has gotten off to a rocky start due to injuries (and some off the field issues). He hasn't quite lived up to his billing in the NFL yet but it remains to be seen if he can once again become the "Buga" we all witnessed at St. Aug and LSU.

2) Cam Robinson- The second of Louisiana's consensus top 5 recruits in the 2014 class. Cam eschewed the Purple and Gold and chose to spend his college career in Tuscaloosa. He too had a successful college career, winning 3 SEC titles, 1 National Championship, and an Outland Trophy as a junior. He ended up being a 2nd round pick after 3 years in college and has also had his young NFL career derailed by injuries. He is coming off of an ACL tear in 2018 and it is still yet to be seen if he can live up to his prep billing.

3) Speedy Noil- Was regarded as one of the most electrifying players the state of Louisiana had ever seen in HS. Also a top 10 recruit, he spent his college career as an Aggie. However, he was converted to a WR after spending his prep career as a QB and he could never quite relive the glory of his HS days. He went undrafted in 2017 and after a short stint in the NFL, CFL, and AAF, he seems to have stepped away from football. Off the field issues also harmed his career. He was most recently arrested 7 days ago for assault (amongst other things). LINK

4) Malachi Dupre- Dupre was regarded as the next great collegiate player to come out of powerhouse John Curtis Christian. A prototypical WR, his combo of size, speed, and athleticism made him a welcome addition to the Tigers, especially given the departure of WRs Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry the previous year. However, QB issues, inconsistent hands, and issues with physicality made his tenure with the Purple and Gold underwhelming. He left after three years and was a 7th round pick but was released shortly thereafter and has spent most of his time bouncing around different practice squads. He was recently released by the Chargers after spending the 2019 preseason with them.

5) Gerald Willis- The younger brother of former five star recruit and current Redskin Landon Collins, Willis was regarded as the next great D-Lineman from the state of Louisiana. He (like his brother) decided to take his talents to different SEC waters and become a Florida Gator. However, he was dismissed from the team his sophomore year and ended up transferring to Miami. He enjoyed a relatively successful career as a Cane, winning 2nd team All-ACC his senior year. However, he went undrafted in the 2019 NFL draft and was released by the Baltimore Ravens after spending the preseason with them.

The rest of the top 20 from 2014 (247sports) rounds out as ( LINK):

6) Hootie Jones
7) Brandon Harris
8) Trey Quinn
9) Cam Sims
10) Garrett Brumfield
11) Davon Godchaux
12) Jacory Washington
13) Kenny Young
14) Garrald McDowell
15) Will Clapp
16) Darrel Williams
17) Mattrell McGraw
18) O.J. Smith
19) Jermaine Roberts
20) DJ Chark

Of the entire top 20 only 8 players have spent significant time in the NFL (Fournette, Robinson, Godchaux, Young, Quinn, Williams, Chark, Clapp). By "significant" I mean they actually spent 1 season or more on a 53 man roster. This isn't bad for a group of 20 kids but this gives a look at just how rare it is to achieve NFL stardom. One of the most heralded classes in Louisiana football history had only produced 8 NFL players and none who have truly separated themselves as future stars yet (9 if you include Dontrell Hilliard who was ranked #60 in the state in 2014). Just something to think about whenever evaluating rankings. Thoughts on the list now and the class in general?